“There was no other damage to the knee beyond the broken kneecap,” said Team Manager Roger DeCoster. “The outlook is better than expected as we thought he was out for the year. It appears now that there’s a good chance he will be able to get back out there racing before the end of this season.”

Alessi’s condition and prognosis will be updated as more information becomes available.

(top left, clockwise) Mike Alessi finished second overall behind Ryan Villopoto in the opening round at Glen Helen; Alessi celebrated his first career overall AMA Motocross win at the second round in Hangtown as he went 1-2; Alessi made it two in a row when he swept the next round at Freestone; Alessi holding the Texas Star beside Honda’s Andrew Short.